10.4324_9781351127264-4.pdf (200.1 kB)
Electric vehicles and the future of personal mobility in the United Kingdom
This chapter considers visions of personal transport futures in the UK, and the role of electric vehicles (EVs) therein, through analysis of documents from government, the automotive industry and others. A ‘central vision’ was constructed from the documents, a single future with small variations that represents incumbent actors’ perspectives. This future is a slow shift to low-emission vehicles, probably EVs, with little change to other aspects of personal transport, allowing high demand to persist as incumbents adjust their production. This vision potentially prevents a deeper transition towards sustainability by locking out alternative futures. Further, its limited scope is unrealistic in its lack of disruption and discontinuity. Incumbent actors construct visions to promote their agendas and maintain power, a form of institutional work. Some regime (incumbent) actors consider change inevitable, making the reproduction pathway untenable, and therefore engage in a transformation pathway, aiming to make EVs a more symbiotic niche, limiting disruptive change. Engaging with diverse future visions from a variety of actors would better prepare policymakers to plan for future transport. The visions must include disruption and failure to meet emission reduction targets, and more realistic portrayal of people and behaviour.
Funding
Research Centre on Innovation and Energy Demand; G1020; RCUK-RESEARCH COUNCILS UK; EP/K011790/1
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Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Publisher
RoutledgeExternal DOI
Page range
53-71Pages
279.0Book title
Transitions in energy efficiency and demand: the emergence, diffusion and Impact of low-carbon innovationISBN
9781351127264Series
Routledge Studies in Energy TransitionsDepartment affiliated with
- SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Editors
Kirsten E H Jenkins, Debbie HopkinsLegacy Posted Date
2019-02-22First Open Access (FOA) Date
2019-02-22First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2019-02-21Usage metrics
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